Two Component Char And Boichar Combustion/Pyrolization System

ABSTRACT

A combustion/pyrolization system for generating at least one of char and biochar comprising an upper base frame supporting a combustion/pyrolization housing, and the combustion/pyrolization housing having both an open top end and an open bottom end. A char collection bin defining a collection chamber therein and a perforated grate normally covering the open top end of the char collection bin. The perforated grate being sized so as to permit desired sized char and/or biochar to pass therethrough into the collection chamber. The open bottom end of the combustion/pyrolization housing of the upper base frame is movable into an engaged position where the combustion/pyrolization housing partially receives and surrounds the perforated grate and defines a combustion/pyrolization chamber for receiving and consuming feed material. The upper base frame is movable out of engagement with the perforated grate to facilitate movement of the perforated grate and removal of the generated char and/or biochar.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This document is a continuation of PCT App. No. PCT/CA2020/051575, filedNov. 18, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No.16/686,904 filed Nov. 18, 2019, both of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a combustion/pyrolization system whichhas both first and second sources of air, and is designed to pyrolizeall types of material, such forestry debris, vegetative debris, biomass,processed and unprocessed wood, chips, bark, ground wood and well asother materials such municipal solid waste (MSW), all of which ishereinafter referenced to as “feed material” into desired char and/orbiochar.

BACKGROUND

Vegetative material, in particular wood, has long been a difficultproblem for community landfills, lumbering operations and cleanupoperations after a natural disaster. Grinding wood reduces its volume,but is relatively expensive and can be harmful to the environment, and,in any event, it still fails to reduce the amount of wood. Moreover, inthe context of a massive tree kill, due to insect infestation and/orclimate change, for example, the approach of grinding, chipping andhauling the wood does not solve, but can actually spread the problem.

Fireboxes and fire pits have been used to burn vegetative material atclearing sites. In order to reduce ash and smoke released duringmaterial incineration (particulate release), a flow of high velocity airhas been used to provide an “air curtain” over a fire pit or firebox inwhich the material is burned. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,756,258 and 5,415,113describe portable apparatus for air curtain incineration. The formerpatent relates to a fan and manifold assembly that can be towed to andpositioned at the edge of a fire pit, whereas the latter patent relatesto a firebox, fan, and manifold assembly mounted on a support frame fortransport to a desired clearing site for incineration of materialwithout the need to dig a fire pit. These portable solutions offerrelatively clean burning and also minimize the need to transport thematerial, however, they both still suffer from a number of associateddrawbacks, e.g., the material is completely burnt thereby releasing intothe atmosphere the carbon contained in that material.

It is to be appreciated that currently available fireboxes and fire pitsare typically costly to move or transport from one job site to anotherjob site. In addition, it is typically tedious and time-consuming tomove a firebox or a fire pit from one location, on a job site, toanother different location, on the same or a different job site. Lastly,the currently available fireboxes and fire pits typically require eithera crane to lift the firebox or fire pit onto a trailer or a veryspecialized trailer in order to facilitate transport of currentlyavailable fireboxes and fire pits from one job site or location toanother job site or location. Further, such repositioning often includesrequired assembly effort and time when arriving at a new job site. Thisis a serious drawback concerning the currently available fireboxes andfire pits.

Trench burners tend to be somewhat easier to move, along a roadway, fromone job site to another job site due their relatively compact size.However, trench burners typically require preparation work to beperformed at the job site, such as digging a ditch in order toaccommodate the trench burner.

In addition, the currently available trench burners, fireboxes and firepits do not have any system for automatically removing the char,biochar, ash, clinkers, soot, unburnt debris, etc., which eventuallyaccumulate within the combustion chamber while burning the vegetativematerial and/or biomass. Accordingly, removal of the char, biochar, ash,clinkers, soot, unburnt debris, etc., tends to be a dirty, cumbersome,tedious, and time-consuming exercise. In addition, since the materialremains within the trench burners, fireboxes and fire pits for prolongedperiods of time, the material is generally completely burned therebyreleasing all of the carbon contained within the material into theatmosphere.

Moreover, the currently available trench burners, fireboxes and firepits typically lack an adequate supply of combustion air to thecombustion chamber, particularly the lower portion of the combustionchamber. This lack of adequate combustion air inhibits efficientcombustion, whether to completion or as an initial step in the pyrolysisprocess, of the vegetative material and/or biomass within conventionalburners, fireboxes and fire pits.

Further, the currently available trench burners, fireboxes and fire pitsare typically not equipped with any automated or semi-automated ignitionsystem which facilitates igniting the vegetative material and/or biomasscontained within the combustion chamber. Accordingly, one typicaltechnique for commencing burning of the vegetative material and/orbiomass is to add an excessive amount of an accelerant, such as dieselfuel or some other readily combustible fuel, to the vegetative materialand/or biomass and then ignite the accelerant in order to commencecombustion of the vegetative material and/or biomass. Such technique isgenerally an inconvenient way of igniting the vegetative material and/orbiomass and may possibly create a potentially dangerous or hazardoussituation.

Even with the recent advances which have occurred in the art, biomassincineration facilities and/or portable apparatuses still suffer from anumber of associated drawbacks. Accordingly, there still remains a needfor a vegetative material and/or biomass combustion apparatus that canbe easily setup at a temporary location and operated until the materialtransportation costs become too high and, thereafter, the combustionapparatus can be easily moved or relocated to another location, at thesame job site or to a new job site, for further use. The combustionsystem should not require any fuel(s) to supplement or augment thecombustion/pyrolysis process (other than the fuel required to commenceignition of the vegetative material and/or biomass), and the combustionsystem should accept substantially 100% of the vegetative materialand/or biomass substantially without the need to process the same beforesuch vegetative material and/or biomass is placed in the combustionchamber for combustion. Lastly, the combustion system should be designedto either periodically, or continuously, discharge of char, biochar,ash, clinkers, soot, unburnt debris, etc., from the combustion chamberso as to permit prolonged and/or continuous operation of the combustionsystem before removal of char, biochar, clinkers, ash, soot, unburntdebris, etc., from the combustion chamber is required or necessary.

SUMMARY

Wherefore, it is an object of the disclosure to overcome theabove-mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks associated with the prior artincinerator apparatuses.

Another object is to provide a combustion/pyrolization system which cancombust all types of feed material, e.g., both unprocessed and processedvegetative material and/or biomass, into char and biochar.

A further object is to provide a combustion/pyrolization system in whichcombustion air is supplied to the combustion/pyrolization chamber, bothfrom the top/side of the combustion/pyrolization chamber as well as fromthe bottom portion of the combustion/pyrolization chamber, in order toincrease and promote more efficient combustion/pyrolization of thematerial contained within the combustion/pyrolization chamber of thecombustion/pyrolization system.

Yet another object is to preheat at least the second source ofcombustion air, being supplied to the bottom portion of thecombustion/pyrolization chamber, prior to that second source ofcombustion air passing through the perforated grate and entering intothe combustion chamber, so as to increase and promote more efficientcombustion/pyrolization of the feed material contained within thecombustion/pyrolization chamber of the combustion/pyrolization system.

A still further object is to provide the combustion/pyrolizationapparatus with a perforated grate which permits periodic discharge oflarger char and biochar particles, ash, clinkers, soot, unburnt debris,etc., during operation.

A further object is to provide the perforated grate with sufficientlylarge holes so as to permit sufficiently large particles of char andbiochar to pass therethough and fall into the cooling medium or fluidcontained within the char collection bin and thereby avoid the completecombustion of the char and biochar and assist with generation of charand biochar particles having a sufficient carbon content for subsequentuse and processing.

Another object is to locate the char collection bin, containing acooling medium or fluid, vertically below the perforated grate, formingthe bottom of the combustion/pyrolization chamber, in which the char andbiochar can fall into and be extinguished/quenched so as to discontinuefurther combustion/pyrolization of the char and biochar and therebypreserving as much carbon as possible in the generated char and biochar.

Still another object is to add a cooling medium or fluid, such as water,to the collection chamber of the char collection bin which assists withextinguishing or quenching the accumulating char and biochar.

A further object is to utilize a second source of combustion air,supplied to the bottom portion of the combustion/pyrolization chamber,to cool the base frame and components supported thereon so that thesecond source of combustion air is preheated prior to that combustionair passing through the perforated grate and entering into thecombustion/pyrolization chamber.

The present disclose also relates to a combustion/pyrolization systemfor generating at least one of char and biochar, thecombustion/pyrolization system comprising: an upper base framesupporting a combustion/pyrolization housing, and thecombustion/pyrolization housing having both an open top end and an openbottom end; a char collection bin defining a collection chamber thereinand a perforated grate normally covering the open top end of the charcollection bin; the perforated grate being sized so as to permit desiredsized char and/or biochar to pass therethrough into the collectionchamber; and the open bottom end of the combustion/pyrolization housingof the upper base frame being movable into an engaged position in whicha lower portion of the combustion/pyrolization housing partiallyreceives and surrounds the perforated grate thereby to define acombustion/pyrolization chamber for receiving and consuming feedmaterial and generating at least one of char and biochar, and thecombustion/pyrolization housing of the upper base frame being movableout of engagement and spaced away from the perforated grate, tofacilitate movement of the perforated grate and removal of the generatedchar and/or biochar from the collection chamber.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of generating at leastone of char and biochar in a combustion/pyrolization system for, themethod comprising: supporting a combustion/pyrolization housing on anupper base frame, and forming the combustion/pyrolization housing tohave both an open top end and an open bottom end; defining a collectionchamber in a char collection bin and normally covering the open top endof the char collection bin with a perforated grate; sizing theperforated grate so as to permit desired sized char and/or biochar topass therethrough into the collection chamber; and designing the openbottom end of the combustion/pyrolization housing of the upper baseframe to be movable into an engaged position in which a lower portion ofthe combustion/pyrolization housing partially receives and surrounds theperforated grate thereby to define a combustion/pyrolization chamber forreceiving and consuming feed material and generating at least one ofchar and biochar, and moving the combustion/pyrolization housing of theupper base frame out of engagement and spaced away from the perforatedgrate, to facilitate movement of the perforated grate and removal of thegenerated char and/or biochar from the collection chamber.

The present disclosure also relates to forming the bottom surface ofincinerator as a “live” or movable floor which facilitates conveying ormovement of the bottom surface or floor of the combustion/pyrolizationsystem longitudinally, relative to the combustion/pyrolization chamber,in order to facilitate either continuous or periodic discharge of thesmaller particles of char, biochar, ash, clinkers, soot, unburnt debris,etc., from one end of the combustion/pyrolization system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate various embodiments and togetherwith the general description and the detailed description of thedrawings given below, serve to explain the principles herein. Theembodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic left side elevational view of thecombustion/pyrolization system of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view of thecombustion/pyrolization system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic left side elevational view of thecombustion/pyrolization system of FIG. 1 with the base frame movedvertically upward away out of engagement with the char collection bin;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view of thecombustion/pyrolization system of FIG. 2 with the base frame movedvertically upward away out of engagement with the char collection bin;

FIG. 5A is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of thecombustion/pyrolization system of FIG. 1 showing the seal formed betweenthe base frame and the char collection bin;

FIG. 5B is an enlarge diagrammatic cross sectional view of area 5B ofFIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic top plan view of the combustion/pyrolizationsystem of FIG. 1 diagrammatically showing the air flow from the firstblower which forms an air curtain and assist withcombustion/pyrolization of the feed material;

FIG. 6B is a diagrammatic end view of the combustion/pyrolization systemof FIG. 1 diagrammatically showing the air flow from the first blowerwhich forms an air curtain and assist with combustion/pyrolization ofthe feed material;

FIG. 6C is a diagrammatic top plan view of the combustion/pyrolizationsystem of FIG. 1 diagrammatically showing the air flow from the secondblower which supplies air flow in through the perforated grate to assistwith combustion/pyrolization of the feed material;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic left side elevational view of a shorterembodiment of the combustion/pyrolization system of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view of the shorterembodiment of the combustion/pyrolization system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view of the charcollection bin showing the perforated grate in a mid position betweenits operating position and the its emptying position;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view of the charcollection bin showing the perforated grate in its emptying position;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the combustion/pyrolizationsystem of FIG. 3 diagrammatically showing lateral movement of the baseframe, relative to the char collection bin, so that access to the charcollection bin for emptying thereof is provided;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the combustion/pyrolizationsystem of FIG. 3 diagrammatically showing axially movement of the baseframe, relative to the char collection bin, so that access to the charcollection bin for emptying thereof is provided;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view of thecombustion/pyrolization system of FIG. 3 diagrammatically showinglateral movement of the char collection bin, relative to the base frame,so that access to the char collection bin for emptying thereof isprovided;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view of thecombustion/pyrolization system of FIG. 1 diagrammatically showing thebase frame loaded on a conventional trailer, for transportation thereofto a desired installation site, with the char collection bin placedinside the base frame;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view of anotherembodiment of the combustion/pyrolization system in which the charcollection bin is embedded into the ground, or some other surface, andthe base frame is movable relative thereto for providing access to thechar and biochar contained within the char collection bin; and

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view of a hydraulicallyactivated telescoping support leg which comprises an outer tube, aslidably extendible/retractable inner tube and an internally locatedhydraulic cylinder shown in broken lines.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scaleand that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrateddiagrammatical and in partial views. In certain instances, details whichare not necessary for an understanding of this disclosure or whichrender other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. Itshould be understood, of course, that this disclosure is not limited tothe particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will be understood by reference to the followingdetailed description, which should be read in conjunction with theappended drawings. It is to be appreciated that the following detaileddescription of various embodiments is by way of example only and is notmeant to limit, in any way, the scope of the present disclosure.

Turning first to FIGS. 1-5B, a brief description concerning the variouscomponents of the combustion/pyrolization system 2 will now be discussedand this will be followed by a discussion concerning operation of thecombustion/pyrolization system 2. The first embodiment relates to thecombustion/pyrolization system 2 which is transported to a desiredlocation or site and then set up in order to facilitate partial orsubstantially complete combustion/pyrolization of the desired feedmaterial 4, e.g., all types of material such forestry debris, vegetativedebris, biomass, processed and unprocessed wood, chips, bark, groundwood and well as other materials such municipal solid waste (MSW). Thecombustion/pyrolization system 2 generally comprises two completelyseparate and distinct components, namely, a lower char collection bin 8and an upper base frame 6 on which supports a combustion/pyrolizationhousing 12 as well as a number of additional elements of the system. Asdiscussed in further detail below, when open bottom end the base frame 6is lowered so that a bottom surface 10 of the combustion/pyrolizationhousing 12 (see FIG. 5B for example) engages with a perforated grate 14,which normally covers the open top of the char collection bin 8, thecombustion/pyrolization housing 12 and the perforated grate 14 combinewith one another define a combustion/pyrolization chamber 16, and thepurpose of which will become apparent from the following description.

An engine 18, e.g., a 10-50 horsepower electric motor, is supported onthe base frame 6, in a conventional manner, typically adjacent a leadingfirst end 20 of the combustion/pyrolization system 2 (see FIGS. 6A and6C). An output shaft of the engine 18 drives a hydraulic pump (not shownin detail) which pumps hydraulic fluid and thus generates a source ofhydraulic pressure 22 for controlling operation of thecombustion/pyrolization system 2, as will be discussed below in furtherdetail.

As noted above, the base frame 6 supports the combustion/pyrolizationhousing 12 which generally comprises two opposed side walls 24 and twoopposed end walls 26 (see FIG. 6C). The combustion/pyrolization housing12 is completely open along both a top end 28 and a bottom end 30thereof. The open top end 28 facilitates loading of material, suchforestry debris, vegetative debris, biomass, processed and unprocessedwood, chips, bark, ground wood and MSW, into the combustion/pyrolizationchamber 16 while the open bottom end 30 facilitates the bottom surface10 of the base frame 6 surrounding the entire perimeter of theperforated grate 14 and forming a seal with the top surface 32 of thechar collection bin 8. As briefly discussed above, when the open bottomend 30 of the base frame 6 is lowered into engagement with the topsurface 32 of the char collection bin 8, then the perforated grate 14 issurrounded by a lower section of the combustion/pyrolization housing 12and those two mating components combined with one another to define thecombustion/pyrolization chamber 16.

As generally shown, the base frame 6 comprises upper and lower lateralhorizontal supports 34, 36 as well as a plurality of spaced apartvertical supports 38 which are connected to and extend substantiallynormal between the upper and lower lateral horizontal supports 34, 36.Each one of the vertical supports 38 is spaced from an adjacent verticalsupport 38. The lateral horizontal supports 34, 36 and the verticalsupports 38 together form a framework, which is part of the base frame6, onto which various components of the combustion/pyrolization system 2are secured or fastened.

A plurality of sidewall ceramic members 40, or some other refractorymaterial, are typically secured, in a conventional manner, to one ormore of the horizontal and/or vertical supports 34, 36, 38 of the baseframe 6 in a side-by-side abutting relationship, as shown in FIGS. 11and 12 fro example, along both of the opposed lateral sidewalls of thebase frame 6. Each one of the sidewall ceramic members 40 is typicallysecurely but releasably fastened, e.g., by conventional fasteners (notshown in detail), to the one or more horizontal and/or vertical supports34, 36, 38 of the base frame 6. Such releasable attachment facilitatesreplacement and/or servicing of one or more of the sidewall ceramicmembers 40, in the event that one of the sidewall ceramic members 40becomes cracked or is otherwise damaged.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 for example, eight sidewall ceramic members40 are arranged, side by side and closely adjacent one another, alongeach of the two opposed sidewalls of the combustion/pyrolization housing12. Each one of these sidewall ceramic members 40, for example, has aheight of between 60 and 100 inches, a width of between 30 and 60 inchesand a thickness of between 2 and 4 inches.

In addition, two endwall ceramic members 42 are releasably secured tothe horizontal and/or vertical supports 34, 36, 38 of the base frame 6along the endwall located at the first leading end 20 and along theendwall located at the second trailing end 46 of thecombustion/pyrolization chamber 16 to facilitate replacement and/orservicing thereof. Each one of the endwall ceramic members 42 typicallyhas, for example, a height of between 60 and 100 inches, a width ofbetween 30 and 80 inches and a thickness of between 2 and 4 inches.

As noted above, the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16 is defined by theperforated grate 14, the plurality of sidewall ceramic members 40arranged along each one of the first and second longitudinal sidewalls,and the endwall ceramic members 42. The open top end 28 provides accessto the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16 and facilitates both theescape of combustion gases therefrom as well as loading of theadditional feed material into the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16.

Two pairs of hydraulically activated telescoping support legs 48 arepermanently secured to the base frame 6 with a first pair ofhydraulically activated telescoping support legs 48 being permanentlysecured, e.g., by welding, bolting, etc., adjacent the first leading end20 of the base frame 6, i.e., one hydraulically activated telescopingsupport leg 48 being secured on each side thereof, and a second pair ofhydraulically activated telescoping support legs 48 being permanentlysecured, e.g., by welding, bolting, etc., adjacent the second trailingend 46 of the base frame 6, i.e., one hydraulically activatedtelescoping support leg 48 being secured on each side thereof. Each oneof the hydraulically activated telescoping support legs 48 comprises arespective outer tube 49 which is permanently secured to the base frame6 and receives and accommodates a respective inner tube 50 which isslidably extendible/retractable so as to move relative to the outer tube49. A base end of a hydraulic cylinder 51 (see the broken lines shown inFIG. 16) is connected to a base plate 53 of the outer tube 49, in aconventional manner, while a rod end of the hydraulic cylinder 51 isconnected to or adjacent a remote end of the slidablyextendible/retractable inner tube 50 which projects out from the outertube 49.

As a result of this arrangement, when hydraulic fluid is supplied to afirst side of the hydraulic cylinder 51, a length of the hydrauliccylinder 51 expands and the inner tube 50 is forced out of and away fromthe respective base plate 53 of the outer tube 49 so as to increase orextend the overall length of the hydraulically activated telescopingsupport leg 48. However, when hydraulic fluid is supplied to a secondopposite side of the piston of the hydraulic cylinder 51, then a lengthof the hydraulic cylinder 51 decreases so that the inner tube 50 ispulled and retracted into and toward the base plate 53 of the outercylinder so as to decrease or shorten the overall length of thehydraulically activated telescoping support leg 48 and shorten thelength of the hydraulically activated telescoping support leg 48. Eachone of the outer tubes 49 and the inner tubes 50 typically has arectangular transverse cross section so as to retain a desired initiallyinstalled orientation and thereby avoid twisting, turning or rotation ofthe inner tube 50 relative to the outer tube 49 during theextendible/retractable movement.

According to the first embodiment, an outer most free end of each one ofthe respective inner tubes 50 supports a rotatable (metal) roller orwheel 52 which facilitates movement of the base frame 6. If therotational axes of each one of the rollers or wheels 52 are all arrangedso as to extend parallel to a longitudinal axis L of thecombustion/pyrolization system 2, then this arrangement facilitateslateral movement of the base frame 6, in either direction, relative tothe char collection bin 8, as shown in FIG. 11. On the other hand, ifthe rotational axes of each one of the rollers or wheels 52 are arrangedso as to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of thecombustion/pyrolization system 2, then this arrangement facilitatesaxial movement of the base frame 6, in either direction, relative to thechar collection bin 8, as shown in FIG. 12. Simultaneous hydraulicactuation of the first and the second pairs of the hydraulicallyactivated telescoping support legs 48 facilitates raising and loweringof the base frame 6 relative to the char collection bin 8, as discussedbelow in further detail, and thus can assist with loading of thecombustion/pyrolization system 2 on to and off of a transportationtrailer, as discussed below in further detail.

A hydraulic drive 54 is generally associated with at least two of therollers or wheels 52 for supplying rotational driving power thereto.Each hydraulic drive 54 is coupled to the source of hydraulic pressure22, by a hydraulic line (not shown in detail), to facilitate the supplyof hydraulic fluid thereto and rotation of the associated roller orwheel 52 in a desired rotational direction. If lateral movement of thebase frame 6, relative to the char collection bin 8, is to occur (seeFIG. 11), then one of the inner tubes 50 supported at the first leadingend and one of the inner tubes 50 supported on the same side at thesecond trailing end 46 of the combustion/pyrolization system 2, e.g.,both of the inner tubes 50 supported on either the left side or theright side of the base frame 6, are each equipped with a respectivehydraulic drive 54 for driving the associated roller or wheel 52.Alternatively, if axial movement of the base frame 6, relative to thechar collection bin 8, is to occur (see FIG. 12), then each one of pairof the inner tubes 50 supported at either the first leading end 20 ofthe base frame 6 or the second trailing end 46 of the base frame 6 isequipped with a respective hydraulic drive 54 for driving the associatedroller or wheel 52. To further assist with either axially or laterallymovement of the base frame 6 relative to the char collection bin 8, therollers or wheels 52 may roll along a pair of spaced apart guide pads orguide tracks 56 which facilitate reliably achieving the desired back andforth movement when emptying the char collection bin 8. As suchhydraulic drives 54 and guide tracks 56 are conventional and well knownin the art, a further discussion concerning the same is not provided.

A conventional first blower 58 is supported, in a conventional manner,by the base frame 6 adjacent the leading first end 20 of thecombustion/pyrolization system 2. The first blower 58, when driven by anassociated motor (e.g., 50-200 horsepower motor and more preferably a125 horsepower motor), generates a first source of combustion air whichassists with forming an air curtain as well as assists withcombustion/pyrolization of the feed material 4. As diagrammaticallyshown in FIGS. 5A and 6A for example, an outlet end of the first blower58 is connected to a tapered air manifold 60 which is arranged andextends along an upper first longitudinal edge of thecombustion/pyrolization chamber 16. The tapered air manifold 60 ispermanently secured to an upper horizontal support 34 which extendsalong the first longitudinal side of the base frame 6.

An internal transverse cross sectional area of the air manifold 60typically gradually tapers, e.g., via internal baffles, from the leadingfirst end which has a larger transverse cross sectional area to thetrailing second end of the base frame 6, where the air manifold 60terminates as a closed end, which has a smaller transverse crosssectional area. The air manifold 60 is designed to assist with uniformlydischarging the supplied first source of combustion air laterally acrossthe entire open top end 28 of the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16 andtoward the opposite longitudinal sidewall of the combustion/pyrolizationchamber 16 as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 6A, but at a slightlydownwardly inclined air flow direction.

The air manifold 60 has a plurality of spaced apart outlets or elongateslits (not shown in detail) along the length thereof which are designedto discharge air across the open top end 28 of thecombustion/pyrolization chamber 16. The first source of combustion air,exhausting from the plurality of outlets or elongate slits, isdischarged so as to form a conventional “air curtain” which extendscompletely across the open top end 28 of the combustion/pyrolizationchamber 16, i.e., from the first longitudinal sidewall to the opposedsecond longitudinal sidewall as well as from the leading first end wallto the trailing second end wall of the combustion/pyrolization chamber16. This air curtains assists with and substantially prevents the escapeof any significant amount of smoke, particulate matter, other air bornedebris, etc., from the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16, duringcombustion, thereby resulting in relatively cleancombustion/pyrolization of the feed material 4. As formation of such aircurtain conventional and well known in the art, a further discussionconcerning the same is not provided.

Once the first source of combustion air reaches the opposite side wallof the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16, the combustion air typicallydeflects downwardly off that opposite sidewall, due to the slightdownwardly inclined air flow direction of the first source of combustionair (see FIG. 6B). The first source of combustion air continues flowingtoward the bottom region of the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16 toprovide additional combustion air for the feed material 4combusting/pyrolizing within the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16 andthereby improves the overall combustion/pyrolization of the feedmaterial 4.

A conventional second blower 62 is supported, in a conventional manner,by the base frame 6 also adjacent the leading first end 20 of thecombustion/pyrolization system 2. The second blower 62, when driven byan associated motor (e.g., 20-100 horsepower motor and preferably a 50horsepower motor), generates a second source of combustion air whichassists with combustion/pyrolization of the feed material 4, asdiscussed below.

As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6C, an air plenum chamber 64 is located andextends horizontally along the lower region along each side of the baseframe 6. An inlet is formed at the leading of each branch of the plenumchamber 64 while a trailing end of each branch of the plenum chamber 64terminates as a closed end. An outlet of the second blower 62 isconnected to the inlet of each branch of the plenum chamber 64 forsupplying the second source of combustion air thereto.

As generally shown in the drawings, a plurality of air dischargeopenings (not shown in detail) are formed axially along each branch ofthe air plenum chamber 64 for discharging heated second source ofcombustion air through a side of the perforated grate 14 and/or into thechar collection bin 8, directly above the cooling medium or fluid 68.The air discharge openings, e.g., each opening typically measuring 2inches by 4 inches, are spaced from one another, e.g., between about 2feet or so apart from one another, generally along the entire length ofeach branch of the air plenum chamber 64.

As the second source of combustion air, from the second blower 62, isintroduced and flows into and along the air plenum chamber 64. As thissecond source of combustion air flows through the air plenum chamber 64,this second source of combustion air assists with cooling of the baseframe 6 as well as the lower portion of the combustion/pyrolizationchamber 16.

As noted above, the second source of combustion air eventually exitsfrom the air plenum chamber 64, via one of the air discharge openings,and flows into perforated grate 14 and/or the vertically uppermostregion of the char collection bin 8 (directly above the cooling mediumor fluid 68). As a result of this flow path, the second source ofcombustion air is, in turn, correspondingly heated so that this heatedsecond source of combustion air can, thereafter, eventually flow upthrough the perforated grate 14 and into the combustion/pyrolizationchamber 16 to assist with combustion of the feed material 4 beingconsumed therein.

As this heated second source of combustion air enters into the charcollection bin 8, this heated air is typically dispersed throughout theuppermost region of the char collection bin 8. As noted above, thisheated air then eventually flows up through one of the openings orapertures, formed in the perforated grate 14, to assist with combustionof the biomass material contained within the combustion/pyrolizationchamber 16.

It is to be appreciated that this second source of combustion air alsoassists with cooling the base frame 6 of the combustion/pyrolizationsystem 2 as well as other components, e.g., the source of hydraulicpressure 22, the engine 18, the first and second blowers 58, 62, etc.,of the combustion/pyrolization system 2 so as to prevent the base frame6 and those other components from overheating, particularly duringprolonged operation of the combustion/pyrolization system 2.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-4, various features of the char collection bin 8will now be discussed. As generally shown in those Figures, a base 69 ofthe char collection bin 8 defines a collection chamber 66 which is sizedand shaped for collection of the generated char and biochar whichgradually falls through the grate openings formed in the perforatedgrate 14. The base 69 generally comprises the bottom surface, twoopposed end surfaces and two opposed side surfaces which together definethe collection chamber 66. The base 69 of the char collection bin 8 maybe fabricated from a metal, such as steel or stainless steel.

According to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the collection chamber66 may, for example, have a length of about 26 feet and 8 inches or so,a width of about 6 feet and 9 inches or so, and a height of about threefeet and 4 inches or so. According to the second embodiment—shown inFIGS. 7 and 8— the collection chamber 66 may, for example, have ashorter length of about 16 feet and 8 inches or so, a width of about 6feet and 9 inches or so, and a height of about three feet and 4 inchesor so. It is to be appreciated that the overall size and shape of thecollection chamber 66 can vary, from application to application, so longas the collection chamber 66 is suitably sized for accommodating adesired amount of char and biochar which is generated by thecombustion/pyrolization system 2.

During use, the char collection bin 8 is typically partially filled witha suitable cooling medium or fluid 68, such as cold water for example,to a level which is a few inches, e.g., 6 inches+4 inches, below abottom surface of the perforated grate 14. This cooling medium or fluid68 is designed to rapidly extinguish/quench each piece of char orbiochar which falls through the grate openings of the perforated grate14 into the cooling medium or fluid 68 accommodated within the charcollection bin 8.

As best shown in FIGS. 5A, 9 an 10, the perforated grate 14 is pivotablyor hingedly attached by a hinge or pivoting mechanism 70 along alongitudinal side edge top surface 32 of the char collection bin 8 tofacilitate rotational/pivoting movement of the perforated grate 14between its normal operating position (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5A forexample) and its emptying position (see FIG. 10). In the normaloperating position of the perforated grate 14, the perforated grate 14is generally supported by the top surface 32 of the char collection bin8. When the perforated grate 14 is in this position, the upper baseframe 6 can be lowered onto the char collection bin 8, as discussedbelow in further detail, so as to form a suitable seal therebetweenwhich prevents gases, material, etc., from escaping therebetween whilestill permitting any generated char and biochar to fall through thegrate openings in the perforated grate 14 and collect and accumulatewithin the cooling medium or fluid 68 contained located within the charcollection bin 8. A fiberglass rope or a fiberglass gasket 72, forexample, may be secured to a bottom surface 10 of the upper base frame6, as best shown in FIG. 5B. When the upper base frame 6 is lowered ontothe top surface 32 of the char collection bin 8, the fiberglass rope orfiberglass gasket 72 is sandwiched between a bottom surface 10 of thebase frame 6 and the top surface 32 of the char collection bin 8 andforms a seal.

The perforated grate 14 is typically fabricated from metal, such assteel or stainless steel, and the grating typically has a thickness ofbetween ⅜ and 5 inches or so and may be mounted to a pivotable grateframe to assist with removal, cleaning, replacement and/or servicing ofthe perforated grate 14. The perforated grate 14 typically comprises arectangular metallic grate frame on to which one or more replaceablegrates are secured by conventional fasteners. Each grate of theperforated grate 14 has a plurality of spaced apart small openings,holes or apertures (see FIGS. 11 and 12 for example) formed therein,e.g., 1/16 to 6 inches holes and more preferably about ⅛-2 inch holes,which facilitate the smaller particles of char and biochar, etc.,falling through grate openings of the perforated grate 14 and collectingwithin the char collection bin 8 while the larger particles of ash andthe larger char, biochar, clinkers, soot, unburnt debris, etc., areprevented from passing through and accumulate on the top surface ofperforated grate 14. As noted above, the small openings, holes orapertures, formed in the perforated grate 14, also facilitate the supplyof the second source of combustion air up through plurality of equallyspaced small openings, holes or apertures into thecombustion/pyrolization chamber 16, as will be described below infurther detail.

In the event that one of grate sections or the entire perforated grate14 deteriorates or becomes sufficiently worn or damaged during use, theperforated grate 14 may be disconnected and removed from the charcollection bin 8, by disconnecting the grate frame from the hinge orpivoting mechanism 70 or disconnecting the both the grate frame and thehinge or pivoting mechanism 70 from the char collection bin 8.Thereafter, the deteriorated or damaged grate(s) is furtherdisassembled, in a conventional manner, and replaced with one or morereplacement grate(s). Alternatively, the perforated grate 14 may bereplaced with a completely new perforated grate having either smallersized or larger sized openings therein to facilitate passage of eithersmaller or larger sized particles of generated char and biochar from thecombustion/pyrolization chamber 16 into the char collection bin 8.Finally, the grate frame with the replaced grates or the different sizegrates, and possibly also the hinge or pivoting mechanism 70, is againreinstalled on the char collection bin 8, in a conventional manner, forfurther use.

Once the char collection bin 8 becomes sufficiently filled withgenerated char and biochar, or other servicing thereof becomesnecessary, then the perforated grate 14 is pivoted, about the hinge orpivoting mechanism 70, from its operating position into its emptyingposition, shown in FIG. 10, where access to the generated char and/orbiochar can be achieved. It is to be appreciated that the perforatedgrate 14 may be pivoted, from its operating position into its emptyingposition and vice verse, by conventional equipment, such as a forktruck, a front end loader, an excavator, a hoist, etc., (not shown). Asdiscussed below in further detail, in order for this to occur, first thebase frame 6 must be elevated or moved vertically relative to the charcollection bin 8 in order to space and separate the bottom surface 10 ofthe base frame 6 sufficiently from the perforated grate 14 of the charcollection bin 8 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 for example). Next, the base frame 6must be moved, e.g., laterally (see FIG. 11) or axially (see FIG. 12),relative to the char collection bin 8 or the char collection bin 8 mustbe laterally moved, e.g., laterally (see FIG. 13) or axially (notshown), relative to the base frame 6 by operation of the hydraulicdrives 54 to drive the associated rollers or wheels 52 by conventionalequipment so that the base frame 6 is no longer located vertically abovethe char collection bin 8 and access to the collection chamber 66 of thechar collection bin 8 is achieved. Lastly, the perforated grate 14 mustbe moved, about its pivotable or hinge attachment 70, relative to thebase 69 of the char collection bin 8 into its emptying position shown inFIG. 10. A further description concerning the relative lateral or axialmovement of the base frame 6 relative to the char collection bin 8 isprovided below.

It is to be appreciated that during such pivoting movement of theperforated grate 14, from the operating position into the emptyingposition, any larger particles of char, biochar, ash, clinkers, soot,unburnt debris, which are located on the top surface of the perforatedgrate 14, are moved, along with the perforated grate 14, and dumped ontothe ground or some other surface located adjacent the char collectionbin 8. After emptying and removal of the generated char and biochar fromthe char collection bin 8 via an excavator, for example, or some otherequipment or technique, the perforated grate 14 is then moved, about itspivotable or hinge attachment 70 relative to the base 69 of the charcollection bin 8, back into its operating position (shown in FIG. 4 forexample) to commence generation of a new batch of char or biochar. Thecollected char and biochar, can then be further processed, mixed withfertilizer or an additive(s), transported to another site for furtherprocessing, discharged into the soil, etc. Thereafter, the largerparticles of char, biochar, ash, clinkers, soot, unburnt debris are thenextinguished and properly disposed of.

If desired, the inner surface of the collection chamber 66 may be linedwith a durable metal screen liner (not shown) to assist with removingall of the generated char and biochar from the char collection bin 8.When the durable metal screen liner is lifted and removed from the charcollection bin 8 by conventional equipment, the durable metal screenliner supports and removes substantially all of the generated char andbiochar while still being porous enough to permit substantially all ofthe cooling medium or fluid 68 to drain through the durable metal screenliner and remain within the char collection bin 8. Once the generatedchar and biochar is emptied and removed from the durable metal screenliner, the durable metal screen liner is then reinstalled back in thechar collection bin 8 to facilitate collection and removal of additionalbatch of generated char and biochar.

It is to be appreciated that the cooling medium or fluid 68 may have oneor more conventional additive(s) or nutrient(s) added thereto, e.g.,fertilizer. It is to be appreciated that the fertilizer may be eitheradded to the cooling medium or fluid 68 or mixed with the smallerparticles of the char and biochar, etc., after the same is removed fromthe char collection bin 8. The additive may be a nutrient mixer ofnitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and/or the like. The additives may beused in varying proportions, dependent upon the particular application,in order to provide customized enrichment of the soil. Alternatively,moist micro wood chips may be mixed with the smaller particles of charand biochar, as the same is being discharged from the char collectionbin 8, or following discharge therefrom, in order to quench and coolfurther the char and biochar and possibly convert a portion of the moistmicro wood chips into char.

Turning now to FIG. 13, a still further embodiment of thecombustion/pyrolization system according to the disclosure is shown.According to this embodiment, the base frame 6 is generally stationaryand is merely able to move up and down via actuation of thehydraulically activated telescoping support legs 48—e.g., free end ofeach one of the respective inner tubes 50 does not have any rotatableroller or wheel affixed thereto. The rollers or wheels 50, however, arelocated on an undersurface of the base 69 of the char collection bin 8instead of at the free end of the inner tubes 50 and typically therollers or wheels 52 are not powered.

According to this embodiment, once the char collection bin 8 becomessufficiently filled with generated char and biochar, or other servicingthereof becomes necessary, the further feeding of feed material 4 isdiscontinued. After the combustion rate has sufficiently decreased, thenthe base frame 6 is elevated or moved vertically relative to the charcollection bin 8 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), by actuation of the hydraulicallyactivated telescoping support legs 48, in order to space and separatethe bottom surface 10 of the base frame 6 sufficiently away from theperforated grate 14 of the char collection bin 8. Next, the charcollection bin is typically moved, pushed or pulled by equipment awayfrom the base frame 6, e.g., laterally (see FIG. 13) or axially (notshown), so that the char collection bin 8 is no longer locatedvertically underneath the base frame 6 and access to the collectionchamber 66 of the char collection bin 8 is achieved.

In the event that transportation of the combustion/pyrolization system 2to another location is desired, then the hydraulically activatedtelescoping support legs 48 are actuated to raise the base frame 6 outof engagement with the char collection bin 8 until the bottom surface 10of the base frame 6 is located sufficiently vertically above and clearsthe top surface 32 of the char collection bin 8. Next, the hydraulicdrives 54 are actuated to move the base frame 6, e.g., laterally (seeFIG. 11) or axially (see FIG. 12), relative to the char collection bin 8(or vice versa) so that the base frame 6 is no longer located verticallyabove or over the char collection bin 8 and accessible. Thereafter, aconventional trailer bed 72 can be backed in between the two pairs ofthe hydraulically activated telescoping support legs 48, as generallyshown in FIG. 14. Next, the hydraulically activated telescoping supportlegs 48 are actuated to raise each one of the respect inner tubes 50until they are generally completely retracted and located well above theground, pavement or other surface 74. Finally, the char collection bin 8can be loaded inside the combustion/pyrolization housing 12, byconventional loading equipment, so as to rest on a top surface of thetrailer bed 74, as shown in FIG. 14. If desired, the char collection bin8 can be braced with respect to the inner surface of thecombustion/pyrolization housing 12 to resist tipping or tilting movementthereof during transport. At the desired destination, the above processis then generally reversed in order to reassembly thecombustion/pyrolization system 2 for generation of char and biochar.

Another embodiment of the combustion/pyrolization system is shown inFIG. 15. According to this embodiment, the char collection bin 8 ispermanently supported/embedded into the ground 74, or some othersurface, for collection of the generated char and biochar. In order toempty the char collection bin 8, once it is sufficiently filled with thegenerated char and biochar, the base frame 6 is movable relativethereto, as noted above, to provide access to the char and biocharcontained within the char collection bin 8 and then the char and/orbiochar is removed, as described above.

Operation of the Combustion/Pyrolization System

The combustion/pyrolization system 2 is typically transported to adesired destination or site and unloaded. Next, the char collection bin8 is moved to a desired location and the hydraulic drives 54 areoperated to position the base frame 6 directly above or over the charcollection bin 8. Once this occurs, the hydraulically activatedtelescoping support legs 48 are then actuated to lower the base frame 6toward the char collection bin 8 until the bottom surface 10 of thecombustion/pyrolization housing 12 engages with the top surface 32 ofthe char collection bin 8 and forms a desired seal therebetween. It isto be appreciated that the base frame 6 and/or the char collection bin 8may be equipped with guide features (not shown) to assist with guidingthe open bottom end 30 of the combustion/pyrolization housing 12 intothe desired engagement with the perforated grate 14. As a result of suchmovement, the perforated grate 14, which covers the open top of the charcollection bin 8, and the combustion/pyrolization housing 12 combinewith one another to define the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16.Thereafter, feed material 4 can be loaded within thecombustion/pyrolization chamber 16 and combustion can commence in orderto generate the desired char and biochar.

Following continuous combustion of the feed material 4, conventionalloading equipment can then be periodically utilized to add additionalfeed material 4, as necessary or desired, to the combustion/pyrolizationchamber 16 via the open top end 28 of the combustion/pyrolizationchamber 16. This process of periodically feeding additional feedmaterial 4 into the combustion/pyrolization chamber 16 continues untileither a sufficient amount of the smaller particles of char, biochar,ash, clinkers, soot, unburnt debris, etc., accumulates on the topsurface of the perforated grate 14 or a sufficient amount of char andbiochar is generated in the char collection bin 8.

Once the char collection bin 8 becomes sufficiently filled with thegenerated char and biochar, or other servicing thereof becomesnecessary, the further feeding of feed material 4 is discontinued andthe combustion rate gradually decreases. After the combustion rate hassufficiently decreased, then the base frame 6 is elevated or movedvertically relative to the char collection bin 8 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), byactuation of the hydraulically activated telescoping support legs 48, inorder to space and separate the bottom surface 10 of the base frame 6sufficiently away from the perforated grate 14 of the char collectionbin 8. Next, the hydraulic drives 54 are actuated to move the base frame6, e.g., laterally (see FIG. 11) or axially (see FIG. 12), relative tothe char collection bin 8 or possibly the char collection bin 8 is movedlaterally moved, e.g., laterally (see FIG. 13) or axially (not shown),relative to the base frame 6 so that the base frame 6 is no longerlocated vertically above the char collection bin 8 and access to thecollection chamber 66 of the char collection bin 8 is achieved.

Next, then the perforated grate 14 is pivoted, about the hinge orpivoting mechanism 70, from its operating position relative to the base69 of the char collection bin 8 into its emptying position, shown inFIG. 10, where access to the generated char and/or biochar can beachieved. It is to be appreciated that the perforated grate 14 may bepivoted, from its operating position into its emptying position and viceverse, by conventional equipment, such as a fork truck, a front endloader, an excavator, a hoist, etc. Once the generated char and/orbiochar is removed from the collection chamber 66 of the char collectionbin 8, then the process is reversed in order to commence production ofchar and/or biochar again.

While various embodiments have been described in detail, it is apparentthat various modifications and alterations of those embodiments willoccur to and be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. However,it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterationsare within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. Further, otherembodiments are capable of being practiced or of being carried out invarious other related ways. In addition, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having,” and variations thereof herein,is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items while only the terms “consisting of”and “consisting only of” are to be construed in a limitative sense.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present disclosurehas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure tothe precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations arepossible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope ofthe present disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, butrather by the claims appended hereto.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the scope of the disclosure. Although operations are depicted inthe drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood asrequiring that such operations be performed in the particular ordershown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations beperformed, to achieve desirable results.

1. A combustion/pyrolization system for generating at least one of charand biochar, the combustion/pyrolization system comprising: an upperbase frame supporting a combustion/pyrolization housing, and thecombustion/pyrolization housing having both an open top end and an openbottom end; a char collection bin defining a collection chamber thereinand a perforated grate normally covering the open top end of the charcollection bin; the perforated grate being sized so as to permit desiredsized char and/or biochar to pass therethrough into the collectionchamber; and the open bottom end of the combustion/pyrolization housingof the upper base frame being movable into an engaged position in whicha lower portion of the combustion/pyrolization housing partiallyreceives and surrounds the perforated grate thereby to define acombustion/pyrolization chamber for receiving and consuming feedmaterial and generating at least one of char and biochar, and thecombustion/pyrolization housing of the upper base frame being movableout of engagement and spaced away from the perforated grate, tofacilitate movement of the perforated grate and removal of the generatedchar and/or biochar from the collection chamber.
 2. Thecombustion/pyrolization system according to claim 1, wherein two pairsof hydraulically activated telescoping support legs are secured to thebase frame with a first pair of hydraulically activated telescopingsupport legs being secured adjacent one end of the base frame and asecond pair of hydraulically activated telescoping support legs beingsecured adjacent an opposite end of the base frame, and eachhydraulically activated telescoping support leg accommodates arespective extendible/retractable inner tube which is movable relativeto a respective outer tube, by a respective hydraulic cylinder, forraising and lowering the base frame.
 3. The combustion/pyrolizationsystem according to claim 2, wherein, when hydraulic fluid is suppliedto a first side of the respective hydraulic cylinder, the inner tube isforced out of and away from a base of the outer tube to increase anoverall length of the hydraulically activated telescoping support leg,while when hydraulic fluid is supplied to a second side of therespective hydraulic cylinder, the inner tube is retracted into andtoward the base of the outer tube to decrease the overall length of thehydraulically activated telescoping support leg.
 4. Thecombustion/pyrolization system according to claim 3, wherein an outermost free end of each one of the respective inner tubes supports arotatable wheel which facilitates movement of the base frame.
 5. Thecombustion/pyrolization system according to claim 4, wherein a hydraulicdrive is associated with at least two of the wheels for supplyingrotational driving power thereto and facilitating one of axial andlateral movement of the base frame relative to the char collection bin,and each one of the hydraulic drives is coupled to the source ofhydraulic pressure to facilitate the supply of hydraulic fluid theretoand rotation of the associated wheel in a desired rotational direction.6. The combustion/pyrolization system according to claim 5, whereinrotational axes of each one of the wheels are arranged so as to extendparallel to a longitudinal axis of the combustion/pyrolization systemand facilitate lateral movement of the base frame relative to the charcollection bin.
 7. The combustion/pyrolization system according to claim5, wherein rotational axes of each one of the wheels are arranged so asto extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of thecombustion/pyrolization system and facilitate axial movement of the baseframe relative to the char collection bin.
 8. Thecombustion/pyrolization system according to claim 5, wherein each outertube and its respective inner tube has a rectangular transverse crosssection so as to retain a desired orientation of the respective innertube and avoid twisting, turning or rotation of the inner tube relativeto the respective outer tube during the extendible/retractable movement.9. The combustion/pyrolization system according to claim 1, wherein afirst blower is supported the base frame for generating a first sourceof combustion air, an outlet of the first blower is connected to an airmanifold which is arranged along an upper first longitudinal edge of thecombustion/pyrolization chamber, and the air manifold assists withuniformly discharging the supplied first source of combustion airlaterally across the open top end of the combustion/pyrolization chamberto assist with forming an air curtain as well as combustion/pyrolizationof the feed material.
 10. The combustion/pyrolization system accordingto claim 1, wherein a second blower is supported by the base frame forgenerating a second source of combustion air, an air plenum chamberextends along a lower region along each side of the base frame the airplenum chamber is coupled to receive the second source of combustion airfrom the second blower, and the air plenum chamber discharges heatedsecond source of combustion air so that some of that air passes upthrough the perforated grate and enters into the combustion/pyrolizationchamber to assist with combustion.
 11. The combustion/pyrolizationsystem according to claim 10, wherein the second source of combustionair, from the second blower, is heated due to passing through the airplenum chamber and this assists with cooling the base frame and preventsoverheating of the base frame and support components.
 12. Thecombustion/pyrolization system according to claim 1, wherein thecombustion/pyrolization housing comprises two opposed side walls and twoopposed end walls, and the combustion/pyrolization housing is open alonga top end thereof to facilitate loading of material into thecombustion/pyrolization chamber.
 13. The combustion/pyrolization systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the base frame comprises supports whichform a framework, and sidewall and endwall ceramic members arereleasably secured thereto so as to facilitate at least one ofreplacement and servicing thereof.
 14. The combustion/pyrolizationsystem according to claim 1, wherein an engine, supported on the baseframe, drives a hydraulic pump to generate a source of hydraulicpressure for controlling operation of the combustion/pyrolizationsystem.
 15. The combustion/pyrolization system according to claim 1,wherein a base of the char collection bin defines the collection chamberwhich is sized and shaped for collection of the generated char andbiochar which gradually falls through grate openings of the perforatedgrate into the collection chamber.
 16. The combustion/pyrolizationsystem according to claim 1, wherein, during operation, the collectionchamber of the char collection bin is partially filled with a coolingmedium which is designed to extinguish/quench the char and/or biocharwhich falls through the grate openings of the perforated grate into thechar collection bin.
 17. The combustion/pyrolization system according toclaim 1, wherein the perforated grate is attached, by a hinge mechanism,to a top surface of the char collection bin to facilitate pivotingmovement of the perforated grate between a normal operating position,where the perforated grate is supported by the top surface of the charcollection bin, and an emptying position, where the perforated grate ispivoted away from the top surface of the char collection bin tofacilitate emptying of the char and/or biochar which collects in thecollection chamber.
 18. The combustion/pyrolization system according toclaim 3, wherein a bottom surface of the char collection bin supports aplurality of wheels which facilitate one of axial and lateral movementof the char collection bin relative to the base frame.
 19. Thecombustion/pyrolization system according to claim 1, wherein the coolingmedium has at least one additive or nutrient added thereto.
 20. A methodof generating at least one of char and biochar in acombustion/pyrolization system for, the method comprising: supporting acombustion/pyrolization housing on an upper base frame, and forming thecombustion/pyrolization housing to have both an open top end and an openbottom end; defining a collection chamber in a char collection bin andnormally covering the open top end of the char collection bin with aperforated grate; sizing the perforated grate so as to permit desiredsized char and/or biochar to pass therethrough into the collectionchamber; and designing the open bottom end of thecombustion/pyrolization housing of the upper base frame to be movableinto an engaged position in which a lower portion of thecombustion/pyrolization housing partially receives and surrounds theperforated grate thereby to define a combustion/pyrolization chamber forreceiving and consuming feed material and generating at least one ofchar and biochar, and moving the combustion/pyrolization housing of theupper base frame out of engagement and spaced away from the perforatedgrate, to facilitate movement of the perforated grate and removal of thegenerated char and/or biochar from the collection chamber.